Probiotics for use in expecting female mammals for enhancing the immunity of their offspring

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of probiotic on expecting female mammals to boost the immune status of an offspring. The use can induce an enhanced response of the offspring after birth to an infectious antigenic exposure. Ultimately the use of probiotic in expecting females can induce a better protection of their offspring against infectious diseases.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
       1. A method for improving immunity in an offspring, the method comprising:
 administering to an expecting female mammal daily for all of the gestation period a composition comprising an effective amount of  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  CGMCC 1.3724 so as to boost the immunity of the offspring after birth. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the administering of the composition to the female mammal induces boosting the innate immune functions and promoting specific immune response to infectious antigens of the offspring. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition reinforces the transmission of immune competences from the female to the offspring. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the female mammal is human. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered orally to the female. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered to the female mammal for part of the lactation period of the offspring. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of inulin, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), short-chain fructooligosaccharide (short chain FOS), galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), xylooligosaccharide (XOS), glanglioside, partially hydrolysed guar gum, acacia gum, soybean-gum, Lactowolfberry, wolfberry extracts and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the immunity boost comprises an increase in the ability of the offspring to respond to an antigenic exposure. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the response to the antigenic exposure comprises an elevation of the specific antibodies to the antigens in the serum, saliva or feces of the offspring. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8  wherein the response to the antigenic exposure comprises an elevation of the total poly-reactive antibodies in the offspring. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8  wherein the response to the antigenic exposure comprises an elevation of cellular immune response in the blood of the offspring. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8  wherein the antigenic exposure comprises exposure to at least one agent selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, infective parasites infection and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8  wherein the increased ability to respond to the antigenic exposure contributes to better protect the offspring against infections in early life. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein the immunity boost reaches its maximum during the lactation period, or during juvenile phase of the offspring. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is further administered to the offspring during a period selected from the group consisting of lactation, after a full weaning and after a partial weaning. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered in a form selected from the group consisting of food, drinks, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical compositions. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1  wherein the immunity boost reaches its maximum between birth (day 0) and day 180 of life. 
     
     
       18. A method for boosting the immunity of an offspring, the method comprising:
 administering to an expecting female mammal daily for all of the gestation period a composition comprising  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  CGMCC 1.3724 in an amount equivalent to between 10 3  and 10 10  cfu per gram of dry composition so as to boost the immunity of the offspring after birth.